Nil Ratan Dhar
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- Discovery of the process of thermal and photochemical fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in the soil
- Dhar's theory of Photo-chemical Nitrogen Fixation
- Father of Indian Physical Chemistry
Nil Ratan Dhar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 January 1892 Jolkhada, British India (now Jessore, Bangladesh) |
| Died | 5 December 1986 (aged 94) |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for |
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| Relatives | Jiban Ratan Dhar |
| Awards | |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Physical Chemistry, Soil Science |
| Institutions | University of Allahabad |
Nil Ratan Dhar FNA, FRSC (2 January 1892 – 5 December 1986) was an Indian professor of soil science and chemistry at the University of Allahabad, known for discovering thermal and photo-chemical fixation of atmospheric nitrogen in the soil.[1] He was the brother of a freedom fighter Jiban Ratan Dhar. He was known as the "father of Indian physical chemistry."[2][3][4] Dhar was a founding member of many scientific organizations like The World Academy of Sciences,[5] the National Academy of Sciences, India and the Sheila Dhar Institute of Soil Science, Allahabad.
He was born on 2 January 1892 in Jolkhada, British India (now Jessore, Bangladesh) to Prassana Kumar Dhar, a lawyer, his grandfather, Prem Chand Dhar, was a Zamindar of the place. and his mother Nirode Mohini Dhar, the daughter of a local zamindar.
He obtained his DSc from University of London in 1917. In 1919, he earned a doctorate of science in France. He was awarded honorary DCs from Banaras Hindu University, University of Allahabad, Jadavpur University, Gorakhpur University and Visva-Bharati University.
